1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton towing

[Frozen001]

I am not here to start a flame war, but I was looking at tow ratings since I was looking to get a newer truck (just found one today), but I am shocked how high the 1/2 ton trucks tow rating have gone. GM is stating a 1/2 ton CC std bed with 3.42 gears and a 5.3V is rated at 9700 lbs. While a 2500hd CC STD bed with the 3.73 and the 6.0l is at 9700 lbs. How can this really be true? My opinion if I am around 9K I would never put that behind a 1/2 ton. I mean everything is larger on the 3/4 tons. Bigger axles, bigger breaks, bigger frame.

[Fordlover]

I'd take a new half ton over a one ton from the early 1980's. The new half ton would embarrass the 'heavy duty' in every measure of truck performance.

[MitchF150]

To me, it really depends on what you are towing and how comfortable you are with towing anything when nearing the vehicles MAX capacities..

Just towed my little #5000 TT with my new F150 and all I can say is WOW... 🙂

I towed the same trailer with a 97 F150 with 5.4 for over 11 years and thought it was a great tow!

Well, this Ecoboost F150 handled it awesome! Going over the same passes, it never went below 4th gear or above 3000 rpms.. I had to watch my speed, as it wanted to tow at 65 in 6th and if I didn't watch, or put it in cruise, I'd find myself at 70.. Going up the grades, 60 was easy and I have yet to put the pedal to the floor..

Anyway, use the right tool for the job and you'll be happy.. I think I'd be comfortable towing up to around #8000 with my new F150.. Anything over that and I'd want a bigger truck..

JMHO on it all.. 🙂

Mitch

[milo]

Frozen001 wrote:
I am not here to start a flame war, but ..

Just mentioning 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton starts the flame war. No matter what facts are presented there will be those that will always trash the 1/2 ton.

FYI .. We went from a 3 quarter ton diesel to a so called half ton and couldn't be happier. We pull a 5er and are well within the capacities of the truck and oh by the way ... it's a hellofa fantastic grocery getter when not towing. If you match the RV with the right 1/2 ton, you'll know how sweet it is.. and oh how sweet it is with our combo. Just one 1/2 ton owners opinion.

Milo

[gtsum]

Many half tons run out of payload capacity far sooner then running out of tow capacity. Many are not much more than glorified grocery getters imo. My 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie had a wopping 1061lbs payload capacity...before anything was in the truck or people!! The Ford F150 with Max Tow package has a much higher payload capacity (approaching some 3/4 tons even). If set on a half ton, I would look there. That being said, I am a diesel convert now:)

[john_bet]

In '04 I changed from a '99 1500 to a '04.5 2500. Also change my engine from a 5.2L G to a 5.9L D. Later changed my 27'tt for a 32'fw. I am still happy.

[Farmerkev]

goducks10 wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:
My new half ton is rated at 11,200 max tow.
Using the "80% Rule" so often spoken of here equals 8960 pounds.
Close enough to just call it 9000.

Good luck, you'll need it.

Actually, I have a class A.
This is just a farm work truck.
Last week I had over 1000 pounds in the bed and 8,000 behind it and it billy bopped right on down the road just fine.

I guarantee you, this fall I'll pull well north of 10,000 with it and if necessary, more.

The old true grocery getting this one replaced pulled a 35,000 pound combine 5 miles home one night. 😉

[jerem0621]

goducks10 wrote:

Farmerkev wrote:
My new half ton is rated at 11,200 max tow.
Using the "80% Rule" so often spoken of here equals 8960 pounds.
Close enough to just call it 9000.

Good luck, you'll need it.

All things set up correctly he will be fine. So much more to towing than "ratings"

[goducks10]

Farmerkev wrote:
My new half ton is rated at 11,200 max tow.
Using the "80% Rule" so often spoken of here equals 8960 pounds.
Close enough to just call it 9000.

Good luck, you'll need it.

[Farmerkev]

My new half ton is rated at 11,200 max tow.
Using the "80% Rule" so often spoken of here equals 8960 pounds.
Close enough to just call it 9000.

[glazier]

The new 1/2 ton trucks are very powerful when compared to trucks of a few years ago. I have family members who travel with us pulling 6K trailers with them. I see no problem with the 1/2 ton trucks towing within their capabilities, they handle their towing task just like any other tow vehicle. As mentioned, the payload will run out long before reaching the advertised max towing number.

[Mr_Beebo]

I have had plenty of half tons truck in my lifetime. Enjoyed them all. Pulled my campers for the most part without issue. However, when hauling 4 ton of rock, an suv on a flat bed, etc, it was sorely lacking.
When using my 3/4 ton truck for a job, there is no comparison in braking, road stability and versatility. My 1/2 tons exceeded in ride quality and a slight improvement in mpgs.

[jerem0621]

gcloss wrote:
Speaking from experience going from 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton is the difference from night to day when towing. Go with a 3/4 ton and you will never look back.

Speaking from experience... I HATED my HD truck... couldn't sell it fast enough. HD trucks may isolate you from feeling the trailer but that is not a good thing.

I would have one of these sweet combos over another HD truck





Then again.. I am more of a car guy.

Jeremiah

[Dragonfly]

If you are coming anywhere near the manufacturer's "claimed" payload or tow limits yes, I would step up to the next level. However, I am towing a 4500 lb Airstream with a F150, HD payload and towing package, with a claimed 9,000 lb towing capacity and I barely feel the TT back there. I can also floor it and knock things off the shelves with the acceleration. Some say that's fine but, the 150's and 1500's don't have the brakes to match the claimed payload and tow capacity. I stop fine, even on medium grades and, in steeper terrain, in tow/haul mode, the transmission is amazing at knowing when to downshift to help slow you down if you start rolling downhill too fast. It is kind of like a fake jake brake.

Again, if you stay reasonably UNDER the claimed limits I would go for the new ½ tons. It sure pays off when you disconnect and get 20-21 mpg with the Ecoboost etc. BUT, if I was going to push the limits now or possibly sometime in the future or, if was using the truck almost exclusively for towing and wouldn't benefit from the disconnected high mileage of the ½ ton, I would have moved up a notch also.

[Frozen001]

I have always had a 3/4 ton from the time I started towing a TT and have always been totally comfortable towing anything I have put behind me. Not one time was I ever concerned. Prior to my first 3/4 ton I had a GMC1500 reg cab long bed, but never towed anything really heavy. To me manufactures should just be realistic about what the vehicle can tow, and not have to worry about fine print. I was considering a 1/2 ton this time for about a minute before my wife looked at me and said "Don't do it you will not be happy".